EMP: Chris Abad Happy to Take the Helm as Spy Surf Team Manager

Chris Abad Happy to Take the Helm as Spy Surf Team ManagerYes, It’s Abad-­‐ass Move

CARLSBAD, Calif. — SPY is happy to announce that its elite team of surfers is now in the capable hands of Oceanside, CA local Chris Abad. A respected and experienced pro surfer, Abad brings added authenticity to SPY’s booming eyewear business, which has seen tremendous growth over the last year and a half. Founded in 1994, SPY continues to focus on building stylish, innovative products for the hip, laid-back surf lifestyle and the attendant actions sports cultures, as well as the fashion scene that the brand has seen so much success in recently. The forthcoming Happy Lens™ release should leave everyone in good spirits and make Chris' job that much more fun.

“If you can’t out-surf Abad, you may be taken off our roster,” laughs Devon Howard, SPY marketing director. “In all seriousness, his former team manager roles, Surf Ride retail experience, and event marketing at SPY this past year make him a natural fit. But he’s more than just another guy with a great resume. Everyone loves Abad—he’s good people.”

Bringing along knowledge gained as a professional athlete himself, Abad will manage the relationship with SPY’s top tier surfers, including John John Florence, Alex Gray, Nate Tyler, Parker Coffin, Joel Tudor, Alana Blanchard, Torrey Meister, Jared Mell, and Ben Bourgeois, as well as its burgeoning amateur squad. Abad will also oversee the team of surfers that represent SPY’s vintage-inspired Crosstown Collection — Nate Tyler, Joel Tudor, Jared Mell, Ryan Burch, and Lindsay Perry.

“After focusing on surf events and grassroots marketing at SPY this past year, I’m stoked to now have the opportunity to help shape its surf team and storytelling,” says Abad. “SPY’s surfers cover such a broad spectrum of talents from pulling into massive tubes, landing mind-blowing aerials, and hanging heels, to helping design rad sunglasses like John John’s new piece for Spring 2013. I’m also really excited to help roll out SPY’s new Happy Lens™ with the crew early next year.”